CostIndexUSA

Arlington, TX vs Boulder, CO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Arlington
103.1
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
CO
Boulder
105.2
overall index
$2,250/mo rent

Arlington is slightly cheaper than Boulder — 2.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $81,600 in Boulder. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+33.2%
Arlington
117.9
Boulder
157
🛒 Groceries6.5%
Arlington
102.8
Boulder
96.1
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Arlington
104.7
Boulder
104.8
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Arlington
94.7
Boulder
94.8
Utilities8.8%
Arlington
90.7
Boulder
82.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Arlington to see what you'd need to earn in Boulder to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Boulder, CO
$81,600
$1,600 more needed in Boulder

Formula: salary × (105.2 ÷ 103.1) = salary × 1.0204. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Arlington, TX

Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

Boulder, CO

Median Home Price
$702,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,250
Housing Index
157
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.0×

Boulder has 33.2% higher housing costs compared to Arlington.

Income & Job Market

Arlington, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
394,266
Top Industries
EntertainmentManufacturingTechnologyHealthcareFinance

Boulder, CO

Median Household Income
$95,400
Per Capita Income
$54,400
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
105,112
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationResearchHealthcareOutdoor Recreation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Arlington, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Boulder, CO
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.